There is no possible way you could be tired of seeing more Roger Waters videos, so here is another one. I am still blabbing about him to perfect strangers. I wait for people to ask me why I'm so tan (tanning bed addiction- duh) and then I casually throw out, "Oh, I was just in Palm Springs on vacation."
I wait to see if they are going to ask me what I was doing there--as if being on vacation in Palm Springs weren't enough on it's own, as if they need more explanation. Whether they ask me or not, I always volunteer that I was at Coachella. "You know, Coachella? Huge three day festival outside of Palm Springs?" Fifty percent of the time I get blank stares.
Either way, you are going to get a ten minute gush-session about how awesome it was, how hot it was, and how amazing Roger Waters was. I'm not trying to brag, it's just one of those life-changing experiences that one remembers his or her entire life.
So, more Roger and a few more survival tips should you find yourself at any life-changing summer concert festivals.
4. Sunblock Sunblock is an essential part of any sunny destination. If you are going to be in Palm Springs, outdoors from noon until 1am for three days straight, you might wanna lather up. If you find yourself passed out in the sun, due to overconsumption and dehydration, I should hope that you were smart enough to pass out in the shade. All the way in the shade, not just, say, your upper half.
We ran across a poor fellow hobbling to the bathroom early Sunday morning with the worst possible sunburn on the bottom half of his legs. I think he might have been seriously considering amputation. (I wish I had a picture of his legs but I didn't want him to suffer anymore humiliation than he already was.)
So here is an example I pulled off the internet. You get the idea.
So, sunblock- GOOD. Passing out in unforgiving 98 degree weather- BAD. I lathered up all weekend with a raging and over protective SPF 4. What can I say, I like to be tan. I may look like a leather handbag when I'm forty but I will be tan!
5. Crowds Fifty thousand the first day, eighty thousand on Saturday. That's a TON of people. No seating, just crunch together towards the stage to get the best view. Now imagine that only a small percentage of these people have bathed in the last 24 hours. Did I mention that it was 98 on Saturday?
Now close your eyes and breathe in the delicious scent of these people. Can you smell it? (Actually, you can't smell them at all; the human stench is completely overpowered by the sweet scent of cannabis.)
But there are two things to watch out for in large crowds:
First, flying beach balls--you know, the ones people toss around during shows. Be careful because one is likely to come flying at you while you are not paying attention and trying to take video of the performance, thus knocking the camera from your hands and into the back of the persons head in front of you. No worries, the person you just clocked with your digital camera will be totally mellow from all of the pot he has smoked and actually offer you a hit. Very generous, sharing happy individuals at festivals.
Second, jockeying for position. Some people will scooch through the crowd, trying to get a better spot. Ususally, they are kind and just kind of nudge people out of their way, beelining for the stage. I'm ok with that. Some are even on their cell phones, holding a fake conversation with their "friends" who are "waiting for them" at the front.
Nice try- I don't smoke pot and therefore I am not falling for that lame ruse. But people will still try to get closer to the stage. Don't get mad, just accept that it works that way.
Then there are your young, angry muscly (Muscley? Muscle-y?) types who square their shoulders and charge through the crowd, leaving old ladies and small children in bloody pieces behind them. They have no manners and no concept of space or acceptable crowd behavior. Don't be one of those people. 'Nuff said.
So here's a clip of "Have a Cigar" because it reminds me of my two great friends who I am constantly pimping and gushing about- Tim and Jim. They do a great cover of this song and I get all smiley when I hear it. They will be at Haydens on May 30 and 31st. I will be the one all smiley. And tan.
